RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.

New Zealand Listener, Volume 19, Issue 479, 27 August 1948, Page 5

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.

Sir,-Children sometimes mistake the drift of words, and so. comprehension is clouded. The fault in such a case is not that of the child. The following is the correct version: We're going to the Mansions on the Happy Day Express: The letters on the engine are J-E-S-U-S. The guard calls out, "For Heaven!"’ I gladly answer, ‘‘Yes!" We're going to the Mansions on the Happy Day Express, I first heard the words of this chorus in the County of Takaka about 16 years ago. They were then taught to a gathering of children by an English lady, who was a qualified English schoolteacher, a person of more than average culture, and also no mean theologian.

D. S.

EVANS

C: of E.

(Motupiko).

Sir,-"Observer" wonders if any kind of value can be derived from allegorising an express, with the engine marked J-E-S-U-S. To the nine-year-old of our mobile world does not the picture immediately suggest power, strength, and leadership (rather a change from the "Gentle Jesus meek and mild" of yesteryear). Surely the singing of a thrilling journey with the Great Master is more conducive to the "Lo I am with you always" kind of thinking than the bleating of, say, "There’s a friend for little children above the bright blue

sky.

M.

LOWE

(Taumarunui).

Sir-We are all indebted to "Observer" for bringing to notice a rather silly verse taught during religious instruction. It is to be hoped, however, that "Observer" does not consider this sort of thing typical of the Nelson system generally, Certainly it was not so in my schooldays, nor,.I believe, is it to-day. Although children probably prefer the jingle to which "Observer" rightly objects, most instructors are wise enough to keep*to standard hymns suitable for children. As a point of interest, my own child can never remember what is sung, but always remembers the lesson.

BANANA BENDER

(Nelson).

Sir--As one who has taught many times the chorus "Observer" mentions may I be permitted to offer an explanation. In religious instruction, as in all types of instruction, the subject matter must be presented in a form suitable for

the listeners, Long hymns with their grown-up phraseology are not suitable. The time factor has also to be considered. The instructor’s problem is to find short choruses, easily memorised, with catchy tunes, which nevertheless contain the great truths of Christianity. These are constantly being added tv, using the terms of different aspects of life, also topics of current interest. One does not speak: to 1948 children in terms of bullock waggons and Eastern garments, but in terms of submarines and aeroplanes. God is also God of the industrial age, and His men are serving Him while driving bulldozers, flying planes, sitting before the microphone. To return to the chorus. I don’t know the author, but it was probably made up for children living in a railway area, whose fathers were railway workers, and who would be acquainted with the fact that all engines have letters, something the country child would

overlook.

F.

RANKIN

(Nelson).

Sir,-I can sympathise with "Observer": hymns of one denomination can easily be misunderstood by children of another, As a very young child I went to play with the headmaster’s daughter. Instead of the exploring of a. strange garden and the climbing of other People’s trees I was roped in to "play

church." Though a little shocked at the idea of playing church I sat down while she produced a yellow hymn book and sang me hymns. "Stand up, Stand up for Jesus" didn’t worry me unduly, as the tune was faintly reminiscent, of hymn-tunes I knew, but when it came to "At the Cross, at the Cross" I was horrified and quite convinced that she was singing a hymn to some low obscene tune or parodying both words and tune. My horror changed to fear when I saw her father approaching. I glanced up to see the degree of wrath depicted in his face. I was rocked to see what I could only interpret as approval in his expression as he went on down the path. For years after that I was convinced that the headmaster was a secret scoffer at God, and even to-day Mephistopheles does not suggest the orthodox slim sophisticated gentleman with a diabolical smile but a bulky headmaster ‘figure with a fatuously paternal smirk. If hymns are regarded as an important part of religious instruction in schools, I think some severe pruning should be done before they are used in a mixed congregation.

H Or

M

(Dunedin).

(We have received several other letters on this subject, but can find space for these only.-Ed. )